Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-07-26

brandishing his knife and shouting 10
the crew to come on. His towering
form was the mark at which both
pistols were aimed, and both carried
true. He tumbled dead to the deck,
with two balls through his body.
With q frantic yell the three remain
ing negroes rushed aft, knives in hand,
the others closely following.
Once more the pistols were heard.
One ball broke the arm Of one of the
Cubans, the other plowcd an ugly
cash in the cheek of one of the stowa-
ways.
Nine to three the Infatuated mutt
neers bounded upon the little group by
the wheel.
There was time for another shot; but
both pistols missed fire.
At close quarters there was for three
minutes tremendous, but hopeless,
struggle.
The mate, dealing a good blow with
his bar, was struck to the heart by a
knife.
Captain Willis, struggling to use his
revolver again, was seized about the
body from behind and thrust half
dozen times through the breast. Either
of the wounds would have killed him.
For moment Henry Crawford kept
his assallants off by the powerful blows
Of his fists. His pistol had been
knocked from his hand as he tried to
use it again. Two men fell before his
blows, when cowardly knife thrust
went through his back. He turned and
clutched the throat of the negro with
both hands, when another knife was
driven into his sido. He sank to the
deck.
A yell of triumph went up from the
mutineers.
The groans and curses of the wound
ed also broke forth, making the scene
pandemonium of horrors.
The PROSTATE bodies of the brave
men who had fallen in defense of the
shipwreck were treated with insult and
indignity. Kicks were literally be-
slowed upon them, their watches
taken, aud their pockets rined.
The mutinGers then proceeded to the
work of plunder. The door of tho
cabin was broken down. and their in
sensate rage was first gratitied by the.
destruction Of the furniture and bed
ding. The lockers were kicked In, and
the Captains little stock Of wine was
instantly consumed. The two bags of
gold were discovered, and exultingly
brought forth.
"Divide-fair playr' several shouted.
One of the negroes poured out the
gold in glittering heap on the table.
As he regarded it with blood-shot eyes,
he looked like fiend from the pit.
Angry faces, flaming with drink, gath
cred round, and some hands clutched
the knives again.
Bring more drink" shouted the
fellow. who had taken the division
upon himself. more drink, and wen
divide"
In few minutes great bucketful
of the fiery liquid was brought into the
cabin, and each man took draught
from the tin dipper
Then they crowded around the table.
Their red eyes glared like the eyes Of
wild beasts. Their breath came thick
and short, and their hands eagerly
clutehcl the gold pieces that were one
by one dealt around TO them.
At such time and under such con-
ditions 1t needed but spark to cause
MI explosion.
Two pieces were accidentally handed
10 one Of the Cubans at once. Half
dozen voices demanded that one of
them be given back. The man refused,
with an oath; the negro who was max
ing the distribution leaned over the
table, seized him by the throat and
plunged bis knife into his heart.
In the twilight obscurity Of the cab
in the scene that followed could be
likened TO nothing but raging hell.
The table was overturned and the gold
was scattered to the corners OF the
cabin, while the human demons eager
ly sought to clutch it. They cut and
thrust with their knives; they cursed
and screamed; they rolled and fought
upon the floor. Horrid gashes were
given aud received; blood gathered in
pools upon the floor. The tumult was
dreadful but brief, Some lay dead,
others were overcome by exhaustion
and the stupor Of drunkenness. Silence
presently prevailed.
The moon rose in placid splenjor
upon that scene Of horror and desola-